The Restarting Point

by Marci Bolden

  Jade shared curious glances with Taylor and Liam before asking, “What did you think spelunking was?”

  Pulling her head lamp on, Taylor said, “I don’t think we want to know.”

  “Well,” Darby said, casting a glance at Liam, “it makes a lot more sense why you’re here if we’re not doing what I thought.”

  “Don’t ask,” Jade warned. “Just…don’t ask anything else.”

  Knowing Darby, she thought there would be drinking and strippers involved—those seemed to be her go-tos for entertainment. Jade didn’t think Liam needed to be clued into that.

  Darby looked down at her bright pink camo pants, somewhat sensible shoes, and long-sleeved shirt. “Is this why you made me dress like a fashionable version of Taylor?”

  Jade helped Darby secure the head lamp over her poofy hair. “Come on,” Jade asked. “Give it a few minutes. If you don’t like it, at least you tried.”

  “I don’t like it,” Darby said as they headed toward the opening of the cave. “I really don’t like it.”

  Jade gripped her hands. “I want to do this, Darby. Please try. I’ll never make you try again.”

  “Okay, but if I get eaten by a bear, I’m going to be very upset with you.”

  “Understood,” Jade said.

  The four of them made their way to the cave while Liam explained the importance of moving slowly and staying together once they got deeper into the cave. Jade glanced back and smiled at the way Darby grabbed Taylor’s hand.

  “Do not leave me,” Darby instructed her.

  Taylor chuckled. “Not unless there’s a bear. Then you’re on your own.”

  “Taylor,” Darby whined.

  Liam grabbed Jade’s hand as they neared the opening of the cave and pulled her closer. “She’s never going to forgive you for this. You know that, don’t you?”

  “She might have fun.”

  “There’s no men, no alcohol, and not a single bit of glitter in this cave. She’s not going to have fun.”

  Jade chuckled as she glanced back. Darby seemed to have forgotten how discontent she was and wriggled her brows at Jade. Only then did Jade realize she and Liam were still holding hands. She pulled her hand away and rolled her eyes.

  “Come on, ladies,” Liam said. “We need to stick together.”

  They were only a few yards inside the mouth of the cave when Darby whispered, “It smells like a locker room in here.”

  “I’m not going to ask how you know what a locker room smells like,” Liam said.

  “Probably for the best,” Taylor said. “Can you stop squeezing my hand so hard, Darby?”

  “No.”

  Jade rested her hand on Liam’s back as the light of day started to disappear behind them. She didn’t want to admit that as soon as they were engulfed in darkness and the damp, musty locker room smell, the fun of spelunking faded. Quickly.

  She was more than ready to turn back and mark this particular activity off her list, but she didn’t want to be the one to call an end to the so-called adventure. However, she did have to agree with Darby—this wasn’t much fun.

  “Shh,” Liam whispered as he came to a stop. “Listen.”

  Darby gasped, but Taylor hushed her.

  A moment later, a squeaking far too similar to the sound of rats scurrying down an alley began to get louder. Liam looked up, and his light illuminated a gathering of bats directly above them.

  Darby whimpered, Jade swallowed hard, and Taylor muttered, “Oh. My. God.”

  “That’s worse than bears,” Darby squealed, sounding as if she were about to start crying. “That’s much worse than bears.”

  “I agree,” Taylor said.

  “They won’t bother you,” Liam said.

  The words had barely left his mouth when two bats started fluttering about, followed by several more. The swishing of their wings sounded louder than it should. Darby screamed. Taylor squealed.

  Jade spun on her heels and shooed Taylor and Darby back toward the cave opening. “Go! Go! Hurry!”

  Liam’s laugh echoed around the cave as Jade, Darby, and Taylor ran toward the sliver of light in the distance. Jade hadn’t realized how deep into the cave they’d gone until she was rushing for the exit. When they finally made it outside, Darby yanked her head lamp off and gasped dramatically.

  Taylor rested her hands on her knees and shook her head at Jade. “You are never allowed to plan an outing again.”

  “We’re going to a bar. Right now,” Darby insisted. “And I’m drinking straight from a bottle until I get over this.” She sniffled as she pointed at Jade. “And you are the designated driver.”

  A full-body shiver ran through Jade as she looked at the cave. “Yeah. Okay, that’s fair.”

  They were headed for the car when Taylor looked back. “Liam hasn’t come out yet. Should we go back for him?”

  Jade looked at the cave opening for a few seconds and shook her head. “Nope. The bats can have him.”

  By the time Jade was able to move into the remodeled cabin, the trees around Chammont Lake had lost their leaves and the chill of winter filled the air. Christmas was just around the corner, and she was thrilled she could experience the holiday in her new home. Though the structure hadn’t been completely torn down, Taylor had hired a crew to strip it to the studs. She’d overseen the project as the cabin was expanded to include a home office so Jade could have a dedicated workspace since she’d be spending most of her time working from the lake. Her trips into Fairfax would be limited to meetings and emergencies, and she was fine with that.

  With the help of her friends, Jade had selected a natural maple flooring and, much to Darby’s despair, light colors that helped the space feel larger than it was. The loft had also been expanded to the length of the new addition, giving Xander and Owen a bigger room to share when they visited. Rather than the precarious ladder they’d had to climb previously, Taylor had installed a set of stairs that doubled as storage.

  A wall of windows faced the cove, giving Jade a perfect view of the water. Even though it wasn’t of the bigger expanse of Chammont Lake, she’d come to love seeing the calm water in her little corner of the world.

  The work Taylor and her team had done was perfect, and Jade couldn’t wait to show it off. Though the cabin was still tiny, and her social circle even smaller, she and Darby had planned a housewarming party. While Xander and Owen built a fire outside for people to socialize rather than cramming everyone inside at once, Darby fussed over the food she’d made. Bite-sized sandwiches, cookies, and stuffed cucumber bites which she’d said were specifically for Jade, had been expertly displayed on the table next to a punch bowl with a fizzy beverage. Darby had concocted the drink with cranberry juice, seltzer water, and a “secret ingredient” that she insisted was legal for all ages.

  Slowly spinning, taking in the cabin as she had the first day she’d stepped inside, Jade couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She’d worked closely with Darby and Taylor to design every aspect—the colors, the window placement, the built-in shelves that lined the wall to the ceiling, and the picture frames for the photos she’d placed there. One of her favorites was an image Parker had taken of Jade, Darby, and Taylor on the beach with umbrella drinks. The trio was smiling brightly while toasting for the picture. Jade couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier than the days they’d spent relaxing by the lake.

  Chammont Point was her home—the place where she was able to get back on her feet and start again. And nothing reflected that more than this tiny cabin. This was her place in the world, and she couldn’t think of any other place where she’d ever felt so at peace. She didn’t have the need to rush here, or to get ahead, or to strive for some goal. This was a place where she could simply enjoy her life. And she intended to.

  Her morning routine of paddleboarding out onto the lake had changed with the weather. The cooler temperatures didn’t permit being out on the water, but she would find another way to stay active. She finally felt healthy
and strong. She wasn’t going to let winter steal that from her.

  Liam had promised to help her stay active. She was looking forward to the activities he’d suggested, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-skating at the outdoor rink. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the last one, but she was willing to give it a try. They had settled into a friendship that gave her the confidence to try new things. He enjoyed pushing her beyond her comfort zone, and she felt safe enough with him to allow it.

  As the summer had started winding down, he’d convinced her to try waterskiing. Though she hadn’t done so since, she had the pictures to prove that she’d attempted—and failed—at the sport. Jade had been determined to live her second chance to the fullest, and she could honestly say that she’d been doing that.

  “Well,” Taylor said, “what do you think now that you’re all moved in?”

  “I think this is perfect,” Jade said. “Absolutely perfect. You did an amazing job.”

  Taylor smiled. “Thanks. And thanks for the push to keep trying with my business. I appreciate it.”

  “Any new clients yet?”

  “No, but people are talking about the pictures I…you…posted on social media. It was awesome of you to get that set up.”

  “You’re welcome. Now you have to keep it up,” Jade informed her. “Every project you do, be sure to post pictures before, during, and after.”

  “Will do. If I get any more projects.”

  “Are you serious about trying again?” Jade asked after a moment.

  “Yeah.”

  Jade lit with excitement. “Let me help. Marketing is kind of my thing. I’ll get you some new clients in no time.”

  Taylor’s frown twisted into a bright smile. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I, um… I want to start doing some freelance work. I think I’d like to start my own business here in Chammont Point, but I can’t just jump in until I know if it’ll pan out. I want my work life to slow down, too. I don’t think that will happen if I don’t give up my executive role in Fairfax. I’d prefer to have a few local clients to pay the bills.”

  Taylor smiled again. “I agree. That would be great for some of the businesses around here. Too many depend solely on tourist season. It’s tough in the winter months. I bet you could drum up enough business for them to make ends meet.”

  “I hope so. But don’t worry. O’Shea Construction will be my priority. We’re going to make sure everyone in Chammont Point knows what amazing work you do.”

  “Okay,” Darby sang, joining them with three glasses of her special punch. “We have to toast before people start arriving.” She passed drinks to Taylor and Jade and then lifted hers. “I knew from the moment I watched you plummet off the deck there was something special about you.”

  Jade laughed with surprise.

  “The way you fluttered your little arms and kicked your scrawny legs,” Darby continued, “was like watching…”

  “A baby bird’s failed attempt at flying,” Jade said. “Yes, I remember.”

  “As soon as you agreed not to sue me, I knew we’d become the best of friends. And then we met Taylor, and two became three. I wouldn’t change a thing. Welcome home, Jade.”

  “Welcome home,” Taylor said and toasted them.

  “Thank you.” Jade took a sip of the drink, tentatively letting it wash over her taste buds. “Oh my gosh, Darby. This is amazing.”

  Darby bowed slightly. “I really was a good bartender.”

  “And the table looks amazing,” Taylor told her. “I tried the snacks. You did a great job.”

  “Hey,” Darby said as if she’d just had an epiphany, “since the property manager thing didn’t work out, maybe I should be a professional hostess. Trust me, I know how to party.” She gasped and widened her eyes. “Taylor, you could totally build me more counter space so I have enough room to bake and decorate. And Jade, you could help me market. It would be amazing.” She waved her hand and stared into the distance. “Darby Zamora, Mistress of Ceremonies. What do you think?”

  Taylor opened her mouth and looked at Jade. “Sounds…interesting.”

  “Yeah,” Jade said. “Yeah. I can see that. But, um, maybe work on the name because Mistress of Ceremonies…”

  “Too BDSM?” Darby asked.

  “A little,” Taylor offered, holding up her fingers with only a few millimeters of space between them.

  Jade scrunched her nose. “A lot, actually. I’d worry about the clientele you’d attract.”

  Darby squealed. “Oh, this is going to be great. I need to write this down before I lose it.”

  As soon as Darby darted off toward Jade’s home office, Taylor chuckled. “She’s going to go with the Mistress thing.”

  “She absolutely is,” Jade agreed. Her eyes lit when she noticed Parker walking in with Marie in a carrier. “Oh, excuse me. Baby snuggle time.”

  “Have at it,” Taylor muttered. She had been incredibly supportive of Parker but steered clear of too much baby time. That clearly wasn’t her thing.

  “Holy crap, Jade,” Parker said. “This place is great.”

  “Thank you. Have a look around.”

  “You just want to take my baby.”

  “Yes, I do.” Jade lifted Marie from the carrier. After kissing the little one’s bald head, Jade hugged her close. “I haven’t seen her all day.”

  “That happened faster than I anticipated,” Liam announced, walking in behind Parker. “I thought you’d at least let her get her shoes off before swiping Marie.”

  Jade grinned. “My house, my rules. The cost of admission is cuddles.”

  “In that case,” Liam said and swooped in with his arms open.

  Jade pressed her hand to his chest and held him off. “Not from you. Go get something to eat. Darby worked hard on the appetizers.”

  “Are you guys dating yet?” Parker asked as soon as Liam walked away.

  Jade rolled her eyes. “No. And we aren’t going to start dating.” She grinned when her boys walked in and made a beeline toward the table. She was about to warn them against eating all the food when she realized they weren’t even interested in the sandwiches and punch. They were talking a mile a minute to Liam.

  When she looked back at Parker, she simply got a cocky smirk. “We’re not interested in dating.”

  “He’s different now,” Parker said. “Whatever happened between you guys that day, he’s different. He doesn’t…” She shrugged. “He doesn’t act like himself now. I thought you should know. Not that it matters since you aren’t interested in dating.” She smiled and walked off.

  Jade patted Marie’s back, kissed her head, and then whispered, “Your mom is a smart aleck.”

  The baby cooed, bringing the smile back to Jade’s face. Looking around the small room, her heart filled. Almost everyone who mattered to her had gathered to welcome her to her new home. She’d invited her parents over the coming weeks, before winter really set in, but this small group were the ones who would be the foundation of her new life.

  Watching them interact—her boys and Liam talking about fishing and Taylor and Darby listening politely as Parker talked about Marie’s checkup—Jade thought she couldn’t have possibly found a better place to restart.

  Coming Soon

  The Selling Point

  * * *

  Book #2 of Chammont Point Series

  * * *

  Coming August 2021

  Buy Now

  Also by Marci Bolden

  A Life Without Water Series:

  A Life Without Water

  A Life Without Flowers

  A Life Without Regrets

  Chammont Point Series:

  The Restarting Point

  The Selling Point (Coming 8.31.21)

  Stonehill Series:

  The Road Leads Back

  Friends Without Benefits

  The Forgotten Path

  Jessica’s Wish

  This Old Cafe

  Forever Yours


  The Women of Hearts Series:

  Hidden Hearts

  Burning Hearts

  Stolen Hearts

  Secret Hearts

  New Standalone!

  Unforgettable You (Coming 6.15.21)

  Other Titles:

  California Can Wait

  Seducing Kate

  The Rebound

  About the Author

  As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading romance novels. She never left.

  * * *

  Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of willpower, Marci would embrace healthy living, but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local market, she will appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”

  * * *

  Visit her here:

  www.marcibolden.com